It's not official until it's official (BMW announces it publicly), but further confirming clues that the F32 coupe will be badged as the 4 Series Coupe comes from a list of a list of forthcoming miniature scale models that BMW AG has released internally in Germany, according to BMW insider Scott26.

In addition to the new M6 models and 6 Series Gran Coupe, they identify the F34 3 Series Gran Turismo and the F32 "4 Series" Coupe as the upcoming BMW miniatures to be released.

If true, with the F32 coupe badged as a 4 Series, expect the M version (F82) to be named the M4 coupe, as per tradition for M model names. The only reason this doesn't happen is if the BMW board decides to break with BMW's naming convention and makes an exception in naming the upcoming F82 as the M3 coupe (instead of "M4").

I always felt they should name the F82 as the M3 coupe in lieu of the M4. Time will tell...

I have heard this from several sources that the M3 being changed is still being debated and that it more than likely will not change. The racing history has too much cache and value; not to mention the amount of money BMW has spent to relaunch into DTM with the M3 DTM, they are not going to redo all that when the car gets a redesign and change its name...

There is also a good reason why these new cars have their own chassis designator

I have heard this from several sources that the M3 being changed is still being debated and that it more than likely will not change. The racing history has too much cache and value; not to mention the amount of money BMW has spent to relaunch into DTM with the M3 DTM, they are not going to redo all that when the car gets a redesign and change its name...

There is also a good reason why these new cars have their own chassis designator

As someone already meantioned there is a lot of history tied to the M3 name, you might lose some people with the name change, "I drive a M3" is not the same as "I drive a M4". Personally I think they will keep the M3 name for the coupe. The Gran Coupe will then perfectly adopt the M4 name and be the only version called the M4 and have the price premium to go with it.

However, one reason they could call the coupe an M4 is that they could argue they are keeping tradition and the M3 name alive by deciding to make the M3 Sedan (even though at first rumors were this would not be made), its almost like they made the sedan version just to keep the M3 name alive!

I will be in the market for a M3 Sedan or M4 Gran Coupe so I don't really care what they call the 4 series M Coupe version

Also Note that Mercedes is still calling their AMG cars "63" even though they have the 5.5L engines now. Naming cars is all about marketing now, not what makes the most sense. And for that reason the M3 Coupe will probably live on.

While I'm an advocate for not fixing things if they're not broken, I've been wondering why this needs to be such a big deal. The 6-series rides on a modified 5-series chassis, therefore it can be considered as a 5-series coupe. But we've forever called it the 6-series, even in its first production run decades ago, because BMW told us to call it that. Meanwhile, Mercedes had an E-coupe (which is back after being called the CLK) and an S-coupe (now the CL). If BMW called it the 5-series coupe when it first came out and then decided to call it the 6-series for this model year, you would probably be having a similar reaction. As long as the F32 looks different enough from the F30, I see no reason why it can't be called the 4-series. It makes for a better sorted product lineup anyways. To be honest, "I don't like change!" isn't a good enough reason to keep BMW developers from doing what they want.

I don't see the big deal with naming the non-M coupes "4 series" and keeping the M3 badge for all variants of the M3... BMW Motorsport is somewhat separate and I think the "M3" badge holds more weight from a marketing and sales POV than "M4".

I have heard this from several sources that the M3 being changed is still being debated and that it more than likely will not change. The racing history has too much cache and value; not to mention the amount of money BMW has spent to relaunch into DTM with the M3 DTM, they are not going to redo all that when the car gets a redesign and change its name...

To prepare for this inevitability. The BMW Motorsport division are spending a lot of time with the M3 prototypes in chance of the next M3 Sedan being BMW's next DTM car.
Rumours in Munich point to a race prepared launch livery M3 DTM appearing on stage @ IAA Frankfurt , September along with the production car.

If you like BMW miniatures then there is a lot more being introduced over the coming few months. The BMW 6er Gran Coupe available in both 1/43 and 1/18 in Alpine White , Black Sapphire and Frozen Bronze metallic.
The BMW M6 Cabrio in Silverstone II , Sakhir Orange and San Marino Blue.
The BMW M6 Coupe in Alpine White , San Marino Blue and Sakhir Orange.
And the all new BMW 3er Sedan and Touring in both 1/43 and 1/18 format. And example of the BMW M3 DTM car in 1/43 and 1/18.
If you like your MINI's there is the Coupe , Roadster and upcoming MINI Countryman Coupe in Starlight Blue 1/43.

Naming cars is all about marketing now, not what makes the most sense.

+1 I definetly think they should keep the M3 name no matter what they call the standard non M coupe. What pisses me off more is why the new S4 and S5 Audis have "V6T" emblems when the motor is supercharged not turbo

Fuck the idiot that is simply renaming the models. It was alright as a 3er coupe. Nobody complained about it. Bmw, fixing something that isn't broken. What they should do is fix those annoying one touch side indicator stalks.

I think renaming the M3 is an unwise business decision. The M3 is an iconic brand in and of itself. Getting rid of the name means also getting rid of the brand recognition and brand equity the M3 badge carries.

While I'm an advocate for not fixing things if they're not broken, I've been wondering why this needs to be such a big deal. The 6-series rides on a modified 5-series chassis, therefore it can be considered as a 5-series coupe. But we've forever called it the 6-series, even in its first production run decades ago, because BMW told us to call it that. Meanwhile, Mercedes had an E-coupe (which is back after being called the CLK) and an S-coupe (now the CL). If BMW called it the 5-series coupe when it first came out and then decided to call it the 6-series for this model year, you would probably be having a similar reaction. As long as the F32 looks different enough from the F30, I see no reason why it can't be called the 4-series. It makes for a better sorted product lineup anyways. To be honest, "I don't like change!" isn't a good enough reason to keep BMW developers from doing what they want.

+1
At least streamline the model lineup to where the even and odd numbers actually mean something... I kinda like 4 series = coupe

Fuck the idiot that is simply renaming the models. It was alright as a 3er coupe. Nobody complained about it. Bmw, fixing something that isn't broken. What they should do is fix those annoying one touch side indicator stalks.

NO! Those are the best, I hate the old fashion indicator stalks on other cars.

As for the naming, 4 series does make sense considering the rest of BMW's line up but I understand the importance of the history behind the 3 series and M3 names. I don't particularly care either way, my next car will very likely be an F32 coupe whether they call it the 3 or 4 series.

Just remember BMW didn't have to worry about dropping the M3 name in their lineup this time round, because the F80 Sedan is confirmed and in fact it will come before the Coupe. Everything remains when they do the switch this time.